Reborn Heiress Is Remarrying
Chapter 35: The Auction

Chapter 35: The Auction

Chapter 35: The Auction

Diane leaned against the windowpane, gazing down at the wilting roses in the garden below.

The red petals were now dark and ugly, weighed down by the frost.

She knew she should have moved out of this house...

"Why...?"

Her fingers absently brushed the glass as her mind wandered back to Gabriel’s parting words.

"I don’t hate you enough to enjoy your suffering, but I certainly don’t love you to care about your happiness."

The ache in her chest tightened, but she shook her head and forced herself to turn away from the window.

The only way out of this nightmare was forward, no matter how suffocating and annoying this path seemed.

The next day, the grand auction started.

The wealthy elite of the city had gathered for the charity event.

Diane sat in a quieter corner, clutching her fingers to a glass of champagne she had no intention of drinking.

"Relax, Diane," Riot murmured, leaning in close enough that no one else could hear.

"You’re drawing attention."

"I’m trying," she whispered back, a bit unsteady.

"But every time I see him—" Her eyes looked towards Gabriel, who was standing near the center of the room, surrounded by a group of women.

They laughed at something he said, their hands brushed and touched his arms, their flirtations seemed too obvious.

"Don’t look at him," Riot said firmly, placing a hand on her arm. "You’re here for the auction. Not for him."

Before she could respond, a familiar voice broke through the crowd.

"Diane."

She turned to see her father approaching slowly.

"Father," she greeted in a quieter than she intended tone.

Leon glanced at Riot before focusing on her.

"Everything is in place. I’ve ensured that the highest bid will come from an anonymous account. No one will suspect a thing."

"Thank you," Diane said, relief flooded her features.

"I don’t know what I’d do without you."

Leon’s muscles softened, a rare moment of vulnerability passed over his face.

"You wouldn’t have to rely on me if I’d done more for you years ago. But we’ll discuss that later." He shifted past her, narrowing.

"Gabriel’s here."

"I know," Diane murmured, her hand tightened around the stem of her glass.

"And that gangster Micha," Leon added, nodding toward the entrance.

Diane’s head snapped up in surprise.

Micha walked into the room in a suit fitting him like a second skin.

His hair was slicked back, and his usual laid-back energy was replaced with an expensive confidence.

He locked eyes with Diane and offered her a small, reassuring smile before making his way toward her.

"Micha," Riot greeted with a nod, though his tone was less than friendly.

"Good to see you, whatever was your name, pretty boy," Micha said smoothly, already looking at Diane.

"You look stunning," he smiled.

"Thank you," Diane replied softly, her cheeks heated under his gaze.

Leon cleared his throat, cutting through the moment.

"We need to focus. The auction is about to start, and we don’t have room for mistakes, Diane." He gave her a look.

Leon gave a curt nod before excusing himself to take a call, leaving Micha, Riot, and Diane standing in the silence.

"Riot," Micha said after a beat, his tone sounded pointed. "Would you mind giving us a moment?"

Riot bristled but glanced at Diane, who nodded.

Slowly, he stepped away, leaving the two of them alone.

"Why are you really here, Micha?" Diane asked, arching her eyebrows in suspicion.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"I’m here because I owe you, Diane. And because I’m not going to let Gabriel ruin your life any more than he already has."

She looked up at him, her eyes widened and mouth opened a little. "You don’t owe me anything."

"Maybe not," he said, his jaw tightened. "But I’m here anyway."

Before she could respond, a familiar laugh cut through the room.

"Rachel?"

Diane turned to see Rachel standing near Gabriel, her arm linked with Evelyn’s.

Rachel was all smiles, hiding the real venom Diane knew beneath it.

Evelyn, on the other hand, looked like she’d rather be anywhere else.

Rachel caught Diane’s eye and waved, her smile widened, of course.

"Diane! So good to see you."

Diane forced a polite smile, but Micha stepped forward, placing himself slightly in front of her.

Rachel’s smile faded for a split second before she recovered. Micha.

Evelyn glanced at Diane.

Diane nodded. "Evelyn..."

But before anyone could speak again, an announcement rang through the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the auction is about to begin. Please make your way to your seats."

Rachel’s eyes stayed on Diane for a moment longer before she turned and walked away, dragging Evelyn with her.

As the crowd moved toward the auction area, Micha placed a hand on Diane’s back, guiding her forward.

Riot joined them.

"Stay close," Riot said under his breath. "And don’t let Gabriel get to you."

The auction was a blur of fast-paced bidding and polite applause.

Diane barely heard the numbers being called, as she was too preoccupied with Gabriel’s presence.

She could feel his eyes on her, even when she refused to look his way.

"Now, our next bid will be Mrs. Diane Frost, our dear heiress of the Hoffman’s-"

"10 million!" Someone didn’t even let the auctioneer finish.

"Oh, our Diane is very popular..." The auctioneer tried to ease the tension.

Diane’s pulse quickened.

Richard and Adrian sat not too far, occasionally whispering to each other.

Then Richard raised his hand, confidently.

"Fifty million."

Diane stiffened.

Leon’s jaw clenched as he immediately nodded his employee to counter.

"Seventy million."

Adrian smirked, glancing at Richard before lazily raising a hand.

"Eighty million."

Diane gripped the edge of her seat. ’What are they doing?’

Leon’s face darkened, and he pushed his employee for more.

"One hundred million," Anonymous announced, leaving no room for argument.

Micha leaned in, speaking in a hush. "They’re testing him."

Just as another bid was about to be placed, Micha raised his hand. "One-fifty million."

Murmurs spread across the room.

Another anonymous bid appeared on the screen.

"One-seventy million."

Leon’s fists tightened. "Who the hell—"

Diane barely had time to react before Gabriel’s voice rang out, smooth and controlled.

"Two hundred million."

The room fell silent.

Diane’s breath hitched.

Micha’s eyes darkened.

Leon swore under his breath.

And Gabriel?

He simply smiled.

’She will drive me crazy...’